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Training Camp Thread

louisstamos said:
Kinda surprised by Finn being demoted so early, but then again, he didn't have a very good rookie tournament.
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I thought he might get a preseason game in, but there's a ton of defencemen in camp and like you said he didn't exactly earn it based on his rookie games.
 
Bender said:
http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2014/09/20/maple_leafs_changing_things_up_defensively.html

From the article:
?There are a couple of changes, a couple of things that are different from last year, but nothing we haven?t seen before,? Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul said.
?I?d say last year was something we hadn?t seen, but this is more of what you grew up with, it takes more of the second-guessing out of it.?
Lupul, a winger, continued: ?We?re more responsible for the point . . . last year we collapsed down low and gave up the pass to the point. Last year there were more pucks to the point (by the opposition) and shots on our net, but you have to execute no matter what system is there, and we didn?t do a good job of that last year. It comes down to those one-on-one battles and you have to win them.?


Sounds like none of the players really understood the system well. I think that makes a lot of sense: It takes a long time to execute something in a world class manner, to dump it on them without any experience on it and to expect the team to execute well is a little odd to me. But beyond that it sounds like the system and possibly the coaching of that system were very confusing.
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I didn't really get that feeling.  I think they understood the system perfectly well.  Collapse on the net and allow shots from the point.  The problem with that setup is it relies on the team being prolific shot blockers and your goaltenders having the reactionary ability to save deflections.
 
L K said:
Bender said:
http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2014/09/20/maple_leafs_changing_things_up_defensively.html

From the article:
?There are a couple of changes, a couple of things that are different from last year, but nothing we haven?t seen before,? Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul said.
?I?d say last year was something we hadn?t seen, but this is more of what you grew up with, it takes more of the second-guessing out of it.?
Lupul, a winger, continued: ?We?re more responsible for the point . . . last year we collapsed down low and gave up the pass to the point. Last year there were more pucks to the point (by the opposition) and shots on our net, but you have to execute no matter what system is there, and we didn?t do a good job of that last year. It comes down to those one-on-one battles and you have to win them.?


Sounds like none of the players really understood the system well. I think that makes a lot of sense: It takes a long time to execute something in a world class manner, to dump it on them without any experience on it and to expect the team to execute well is a little odd to me. But beyond that it sounds like the system and possibly the coaching of that system were very confusing.
Click to expand...

I didn't really get that feeling.  I think they understood the system perfectly well.  Collapse on the net and allow shots from the point.  The problem with that setup is it relies on the team being prolific shot blockers and your goaltenders having the reactionary ability to save deflections.
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Sounds to me like they understood it (sounds pretty simple) but didn't have much confidence in it.
 
I think the "second-guessing" comment was more directed towards wingers instinctively wanting to go to the points because that's typically how they were brought up but having to ignore that instinct most of the time and stay down low.
 
Also to add, Polak mentioned in an interview that the defensive system they're practicing now is the same as what they were doing in St. Louis when he was there.
 
Potvin29 said:
Also to add, Polak mentioned in an interview that the defensive system they're practicing now is the same as what they were doing in St. Louis when he was there.
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Add Hitchcock, subtract Carlyle, and then I think we're on to something here.
 
Game 1
Kadri looked great, hope he can keep up this compete level, Frattin OK but fell down a lot.
Rielly looked more poised which is good to see. Booth looks promising. The revelation in Game 1 was the play of Holzer whom played hard and was better than I have ever seen him.
Niilson had a nice goal as well. Gibson looks like he has some potential in net.  Good start.
 
Oh forgot,  best other surprise was Sam Carrick. The boy comes to play, what I like is the way the puck follows him around. Sign of a good hockey player.
 
What would be the ranking of the goalies outside of Reimer and Bernier?

Presumably Sparks is being given the Marlies starting job? Is he most likely to get called up to the Leafs to back up in case of injuries etc?

Who will be his back up at the Marlies and who's destined for Orlando?

That was a bit of a soft Gibson gave up last night, although obviously it's a first pre season game
 
My personal opinion, outside the fact that Sparks will probably be number 1 on the Marlies is that Bibeau will establish himself this year as the go to guy and perhaps just perhaps if 1-A or 1-B go down that he would step in.
I think we found the real deal in this prospect. Of course it is far to early to tell if I am right on this one.
 
My expert and humble take on game 1:

1) Kadri best player on the ice, by a large margin.
2) Prospects: was impressed by Carrick, Holzer and Leivo. Carrick in particular, cause I'd never heard of the guy before.
3) Kontiola looking like he'll start the season for the marlies, cause I doubt he'll find his NA game in the preseason.
4) Holland and Winnik looked like locks. Loved Winnik's positional play and boardwork. Seems to me to be a  replacement for Kulemin/McClement.
5) Reilly ok in the first period, but terrible for the rest of the game. It seemed every time he had the puck, he was a giveaway machine. His play in the PK in OT was just embarrassing. Yikes.
6) Ashton good energy, but no results. I always liked his effort, but I wonder if he'll ever have a breakout game at the NHL level.
7) Booth looks like a weird dude... like he should be in California practicing holistic medicine. I can dig it.
 
Much like the rookie tourney, not putting much stock into players' good or bad performances in what for some is their first competitive games in over 4 months.
 
Potvin29 said:
Much like the rookie tourney, not putting much stock into players' good or bad performances in what for some is their first competitive games in over 4 months.
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Yeah. One game is a poor standard to judge someone on as it is. One preseason game is basically worthless - especially the first preseason game.
 
Highlander said:
My personal opinion, outside the fact that Sparks will probably be number 1 on the Marlies is that Bibeau will establish himself this year as the go to guy and perhaps just perhaps if 1-A or 1-B go down that he would step in.
I think we found the real deal in this prospect. Of course it is far to early to tell if I am right on this one.
Click to expand...

That seems to be the general consensus since his Junior playoff run last season.  He has yet to allow a goal in the Rookie Tourney, Leaf scrimmages and now his first taste of NHL preseason action.  Kid seems to have really found his game and looks to be the real deal.
 
bustaheims said:
Potvin29 said:
Much like the rookie tourney, not putting much stock into players' good or bad performances in what for some is their first competitive games in over 4 months.
Click to expand...

Yeah. One game is a poor standard to judge someone on as it is. One preseason game is basically worthless - especially the first preseason game.
Click to expand...

Okay Mr. Smarty Pants, it's been two games.  Now what do you have to say for yourself???  :-*

It was interesting listening to Ray F. on Leaf's Lunch today.  He was between the benches for the game last night and was saying Nylander was equal parts skill plays/young plays.  I really hope he picks it up and gets his 9 games... and then heads back overseas.

BTW, does Bibeau do anything but pitch shutouts?  I think he's going to go the year without giving up a goal. 
 
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